Priest Arrest

Priest Arrest

NOVEMBER 8--A Catholic priest charged with stealing $83,000 from his Massachusetts parish spent a large portion of the money on his pornography habit, according to police.

Rev. Keith LeBlanc, 59, was removed earlier this year from his pastor’s post at St. John the Baptist Church in the face of an investigation by the Archdiocese of Boston. That review (and a subsequent police probe) determined that LeBlanc used church funds to pay for online porn and pay-per-view adult movies ordered from the St. John’s rectory.

According to a Haverhill Police Department report, LeBlanc told a lawyer for the archdiocese that he “has an addiction and needs help.” Records obtained by investigators show that LeBlanc used a specific credit card for his online porn purchases, and that card had a whopping $25,000 balance. A review of Comcast bills showed that more than $4000 worth of adult movies were ordered, with the films starting “the day Father LeBlanc came to the parish.”

The police report charges that LeBlanc stole $83,149 between 2004-2010. About $50,000 of this amount consisted of funds raised via offertory donations, candle/flower sales, and the annual Christmas bazaar.

In addition to his porn purchases--which are not detailed--LeBlanc, pictured above, also allegedly used church funds to “pay personal bills such as rent, car payments and credit card payments.”

LeBlanc was charged last week with forgery and larceny in connection with the alleged misappropriation of church funds. He was arraigned last week on the felony charges and was released on his own recognizance after an appearance in Haverhill District Court.

The police report indicates that LeBlanc, who submitted his resignation to the archdiocese, has been “relocated” to the Saint John Vianney Center, a “behavioral treatment and education center” sponsored by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. According to its web site, the center “specializes in the treatment of behavioral health issues that are unique to Catholic clergy.” (3 pages)